Mr. Walter Franklin Cates, age 93, of Smyrna, passed away Friday, May 24. A funeral service will be held 3 pm Sunday, May 26 in the chapel of Carmichael Funeral Home in Smyrna. Interment will be in Kennesaw Memorial Park Cemetery. A longtime resident of Cobb County, Mr. Cates served in the U.S. Navy during World War II. He was always a servant of the public, working for the City of Marietta Fire Department for over 17 years and later working for the Cobb County Police Department for over 21 years before retiring as a Major. He was a member of the Peace officers Association of Georgia and the Cobb County Retiree’s association. Mr. Cates and his brother Kenneth also ran a service station on Cobb Parkway. He was a charter member of Corner Baptist Church in Powder Springs, a charter member of Macland Baptist in Powder Springs, and had been attending Mt. Paran Church of God Central for the past 18 years. Mr. Cates was a past member of the Kennesaw Mountain Beagle Club, as he loved to rabbit hunt. He also enjoyed wood working. Mr. Cates was preceded in death by his first wife of 53 years, Sara Frances Chalker Cates, parents Robert Lee and Eula Cates, son Robert Allen “Bobby” Cates and brother Kenneth Lee Cates. He is survived by his wife of 17 years, Corine Ware Cates of Smyrna, daughter Barbara (Doug) Meeks of Marietta, sister Wanda (Jim) Ansley of Austell; He was known as “Papa” to his 5 grandchildren Ashley (Stephen) Richardson of Marietta, Karen Meeks of Austell Amy (Craig) Lyle of Alabaster, AL, Dr. Mary Anne (Dave) Templeton of Troy, AL, Robert Allen Cates, Jr. of Troy, Al and to his 11 great grandchildren. The family will receive friends from 3-7 pm Saturday, May 25 and Sunday, May 26 from 2-3 pm. In Lieu of Flowers contribution may be made to WellStar Community Hospice, 680 Church Street, Suite 100, Marietta, Georgia 30060.

Uncle Walter.... I have wonderful childhood memories of him and Aunt Sara. Visiting Barbara and staying in their home was always fun. Uncle Walter was a very gentle and quiet spoken man. I can just hear him now calling...."Barbara". He was always so nice to me and I remember him so fondly. I am so sorry for your loss.

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